On Independence

Our delicious and patriotic fruit salad! (Personal Photo)

Happy Independence Day!

This sentiment is a day late for the 4th, but it's really never too late to celebrate our independence. I'm very thankful to be able to raise my family in a country where freedom is celebrated. Yesterday, we enjoyed some quality family time, participating in several classically American activities: a parade, a hotdog cookout, a festival with games and music, and fireworks, of course!

Independence is something I've thought about a lot lately, and not just because of the holiday, or because it's incorporated in the title of my blog. It's because my baby is now eight months old, and he's discovering his own independence. The tiny baby that used to fall asleep on me is now a big baby, triple his original size. Nursing isn't his only source of food and comfort anymore. He eats just about any new food he can get his hands on. And he's learning how to move on his own! Although he's not quite crawling, he's rocking and stretching out to get wherever he may want to be.

It's a little scary to think that my baby is taking his first steps toward not needing me, but it's wonderful to celebrate it as well. I've had a desire for autonomy for as long as I can remember, and it probably started with my first taste of moving by myself. I'm proud that I've been able to support myself independently in the past, even if I'm not doing it now, and I know I'll be proud of my baby when he grows up to support himself.

For now, I'll enjoy holding him as long as he'll let me.

My First Son

Photo Source

I've spent a couple of posts doting on my new baby, and since it was my first time giving birth, it makes it appear as if I'm a new mother. I'm not. I entered motherhood the moment I married my husband.

Some would argue that being a step mother is not real motherhood, but I disagree. It's true that it is different. You don't go through the pain of labor, you don't experience that magic moment where you see you baby for the first time, and you don't fall instantly in love. There isn't a bond formed based on the child's complete dependence on you as caregiver. No, you are a tentative acquaintance at first. And you're certainly not the only woman in that child's life!

A Memorable Journey

Or: A "Sequel" to the Chronicle of The Move

I've been living in California for about half a year now, and I'm just now getting around to finishing up my little summary of our move. Oops?

To be honest, I really don't think there's much more to it. I wanted to spend more than one blog post talking about the last leg of our trip, which consisted of a nice stay in San Diego, a longer-than-expected stay in Los Angeles, and finally, our drive up the coast to lovely Monterey. Most of those details have been somewhat lost in memory, though.

What hasn't been lost in memory yet was a completely different journey, happening simultaneously. One that took place inside me, which was totally weird but kind of awesome at the same time.

An Announcement and a Story

My last entry, I said I'd be taking another 4-month hiatus, and people, I keep my promises. Actually, I'm 18 days short of four months, but who's counting?

I could have posted in January, with big promises about better upkeep of the blog. But you, dear reader, can thank me for failing to do that. Because I would have failed miserably. It turns out, I'm busier this year than I was last year.

In 2013, I left out a pretty big detail of my life. You see, I spent a large part of the year pregnant. And on November 2nd, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy!

© Shelley Kemp Photography